Samudra Prachet: Goa Shipyard’s 2nd Pollution Control Vessel For Coast Guard Launched
Image courtesy: PIB
India launched Samudra Prachet, the second and final Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) built by Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), at a ceremony held in Goa on Wednesday (July 23). With 72% indigenous content, the vessel marks another step in India’s drive towards self-reliance in maritime defence and environmental response infrastructure.
Designed to tackle marine pollution threats in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Samudra Prachet is equipped with cutting-edge technology for oil spill recovery and onboard pollutant management. It joins its sister vessel, Samudra Pratap, which was launched in August 2024 and is nearing delivery.
What are the vessel’s capabilities and specifications?
Measuring 114.5 metres in length and displacing 4,170 tonnes, Samudra Prachet is equipped to respond rapidly to marine pollution incidents. The vessel features two side-sweeping arms to recover oil spills while underway, a radar system to detect oil slicks, and a comprehensive system to handle pollutants across the full viscosity spectrum.
It is manned by 14 officers and 115 sailors and includes onboard storage tanks for recovered oil, ensuring that containment and clean-up can continue without interruption. Its ability to analyse, separate, and store waste directly supports ICG’s mandate of environmental protection and emergency response in India’s vast EEZ.
How does the project support India’s self-reliance and industrial base?
The launch of Samudra Prachet underscores India’s commitment to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The project achieved high indigenous content by actively involving domestic micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the local industry. Built under a ₹583 crore contract signed with the Ministry of Defence, both PCVs represent a significant investment in indigenous shipbuilding and defence manufacturing capabilities.
At the launch event, Director General of the Indian Coast Guard, Paramesh Sivamani, praised the role of PCVs in India’s maritime operations and acknowledged the contribution of GSL and partner industries in strengthening national capability. GSL CMD Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay added that the platform advances India’s environmental preparedness at sea and reflects the shipyard’s technical excellence.
With Samudra Prachet launched and Samudra Pratap nearing readiness, the ICG’s ability to manage marine pollution incidents stands substantially enhanced—particularly as maritime traffic and offshore energy exploration increase across the Indian Ocean Region.
